New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-09-21
MR.. CROKER AS A WITNESS.
WHAT HE KNOWS ABOUT CENTRAL PACIFIC.

WHAT HE KNOWS ABOUT CENTRAL PACIFIC.
INTERESTING TESTIMONY BEFORE THE COMMISSION
mo MONEY PAID FOR LEGISLATION.
The United States Pacific Railway Commission
resumed it's sessions In this city yesterday at No. 10
Waltst., continuing where 1t left OH at San Fran
CISCO The members appeared In capital condition OF
health after their launt over the Rocky Mountains
and the Pacific Railway system. The sole witness Of
tho day was Charles Croker, the second vce-presi-
dent OF the Central Pacific Railroad, of the we'll
known four promoters this great artery the
country, the others being Messrs. Huntington. STAN
ford and Hopkins.
Mr. Croker 10 in poor health and his physician
advised him not to attempt to give testimony yeser
day. yet Mr.. Croker stated that he bad insisted
being on hand. that no man could say that he was
afraid of any Investigation of bis conduct. He showed
symptoms at times of being eick man, and yet he
bore the ordeal with fortitade. He was of'hand In
manner and outspoken, and appeared anxious to
throw all possible light the subject his dry
humor and spiey manner, despite physical lille, m ade
the proceedings highly interesting all sround. A. A.
Cohen. the attorney Of the Central and Southern
Pacific roads, Eat beside Mr.. Croker. Ex-Judge
Dillon was also near by for time
Mr.. Croker began his testimony by stating that he
had lived in California for thirty-seven years. In
Sacramento he was In the drygoods business. He had
been identified with the history Of the Pacific roads.
The first contract included eighteen miles Of road
Croker & Co. Neither Mr.. Huntington Dir.
Hopkins had anything to do with II. Others would
not into the enterprise with him for fear OF ioss.
The eighteen miles finished in year. The road
ultimately extended to the State line.
Mr.. Anderson displayed great anxiety sbout the
books of Charles Crockei Il Co. Mr.. Croker said
that he did not know where they were he not
aware that anybody had ever asked for them, adding
calmly Ii they had asked me, probably would
have told them it was none Of their business"
Q-From 1868 TO the present time have you seen the
books Al won't say I've not seen them. haven't
examined tEem.
Mr.. Anderson then made q formal call for the
books Mr.. Cohen mildly suggested that San Fran
CISCO was good way of.
Mr. Crocker.-I think you have right to examine my
books. really don't know where they can't see
any reason why they are not in existence
Mr.. Croeker-!f ] can find them when get to San
Francisco Ill send them
PERTINENT QUESTION.
Az to how much he received mile ON his contracts
to the State line, Mr. Croker said he did not remem
Der. What he got anyway was by the yard He ex-
planned organization of the Contract and Firance
Company lie thought that some other persons than
Messrs. Huntington, Hopkins and Stanford held
stock In this company. Messrs. Brown and Trow-
bridge had some. Mr.. Anderson suggested that Mr..
Brown represented only one of the others
Mr.. CrOcker:-n you know all about this, why do you
Mr. Cohen Cblandly) THAT is most pertinent ques-
Mr.. Crocker.-Precisely Why bother me about the
Yes subscribed to a large amount OF stock myself
Q.-were you not holder Of the bulk Of the stock
Al think the Contract and Finance Company we're.
believe passed the stock over TO the company.
Matters began to warm up. Mr.. Anderson pulled
vigorously his cigar Mr. Cohen watched him
keeniy Mr.. Croker looked a6abie
Q-why did you pass over all the stock you received
In payment to the company In which the others should
the stock worth anything; in tho second place. those
stormy times was heavily In debt and the Con
MSsn the ROAD fnsSsd public
Sasn delight not long after that people began ''''
Mr. Croker warmed 10 his theme AID leaning for
ward went on at q livelv rate:
Every politician every fellow who wanted cross roads
had made but that didn't that the company had
made the money
Regarding the Robinson, Lombard and oiher suits
brought against the Contract Coml any to recover
alleged differences in amounts paid for stock by the
company, Mr.. Croker denied that the company had
paid from $3.50 to 81, 700 to buy the stock At the
time. he said, the building OF the Southern Pacific
road had been begun. He continued:
We had bonds sell, the newspapers were ready to
publish anything against us. and this would have IN
the sale wanted 70 fight the s sa My to 80
S and % Se %
the sum claimed in the suits That was the reason for
SsnseTcn around Congress, and he had been given
ahares wish it hadn't been done II brought trouble
snd he brought suit.
Regarding the allegations 10 the complaints that
the company had made large sums Of money, Mr..
Croker smiled and said
oh. yes, remember that One man claimed we mar
SO 100000 Such stories unworthy the attention
Of this commission. These were blackmail suits.
cen In fairness you ought to msmber that these
settled to avoid scandal and the depreciation
of our bonds not the stock was worth H. In
1871 sold ali my at ~ cents the dollar. and
was very glad to SELL and that carried my interest IN
when came back got IL back
SALE IN GOOD FAITH.
Mr.. Anderson made n any inquiries as to the nature
of this sale. Mr. Crockei declared emphaucally
that it q good-faith one, that his brother had
been placed beyond hope in health from overwork
and that the witnesses physician had ordered tho
witness to take vacation lest he meet the same fate
The witness said:
When I came back from Europe 1 asked Governor
stanford for the money on my stSck GSadnt Tst T.
said he. Charley, haven't got II and cant get l
in the bank in San Francisco which the bank refused to
Bend by telegraph 30 tore up my cOnt%e. Win NUM-
Mr. Littler wanted to know what had become OF
the contract. Mr. Croker said ahably:
Well, Huntington said: Let's tear up the contract
Consider that you have had two leave OF
sion. had It In the Bank of California.
Q-Was that not q conditional sale AENo, an abso-
lutte sale The stock was to be given up when the notes
oGThen not O cent was paid A.-No remember
talking with stanford about 1t and he thought pig
price. Why" said Governor you have not PAID me
0 cent"
Mr., Crvoker was unable, be said, to recollecs the
cost Of construction OF the road between stations 81
and 113. "You build 8 railroad through the sierra
Nevada Mountains" eaid be, and you ma your
money melts away In no time" ,
Mr. Croker had said that ne was well Oh when he
went into tho railroad business. Mr. Anderson
wanted t, know the meaning OF that
Mr. Crocker--I had splendid good business, and
was conented and happy left that and went into ths
turmoil this investigation ,,,..
Mr.. Anderson-You made some money. didn't you
Mr.. Crocker.-Yee But money Is not all there Is In
this world.
Mr. Anderson corroborsted the sentiment: ne
wanted to know II Mr.. Croker vas worth *ZC0,OOo
when he toox his fret railroad contract Yes" was
tine answer. .
The wi was led int the labor problem and said
he paid his the railroad from ~ day to $3o